Regulating mechanism



March 12, 1946.

T. W. MOORE REGULATING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 12. 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 12, 1946. 'r. w. MOORE I 2,396,595

REGULATING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 12, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet? Patented Mar. 12, 1946 REGULATING MECHANISM Thomas W. Moore, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Leland Electric Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application February 12, 1944, Serial No. 522,118

18 Claims.

This invention relates to regulators and more particularly to regulators of the carbon pile type.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide a carbon pile regulator which may be manufactured easily and cheaply, which is accurate and reliable in operation over a wide range of loads and under varying temperature conditions, and which is sturdy and rugged in construction and capable of maintaining its highly accurate functioning notwithstanding rough usage.

It is a further object to provide such a. regulator in which the non-linear characteristic of the solenoid is matched by the opposing force of a resilient member the characteristic of which is made to be also non-linear and closely similar to that of the solenoid, leaving a resultant force of the proper value for effecting the compression of the carbon pile.

It is also an object to provide a carbon pile regulator in which a spring force of non-linear characteristic is developed through the provision of a spring assembly in which the ends are firmly secured against movement so that the displacement of the central part of the assembly under the action of the solenoid provides for developing internal spring forces which increase at a rate greater than a linear rate.

It is a still further object to provide a carbon I pile regulator in which the spring force opposing the pull of the solenoid, is made non-linear through the arrangement of spring arm which are bent or sprung at an angle with respect to the direction of movement of the armature and the ends of which are then firmly though detachably held in fixed position providing for the development of an internal spring force which increases at a rate greater than a linear rate in response to displacing movement of the armature assembly.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

In the drawings Fig. l is a View in section through a carbon pile regulator constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 with certain portions of the cover being broken away to more clearly illustrate the construction;

Fig. 3 is a plan view, with portions broken away, showing the spring and armature assembly in its flat or unsprung condition; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawing which discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention, the carcon pile itself is illustrated at It, and comprises a number of discs of carbon which are stacked inside a. tube H. The tube is preferably of ceramic material to carry away the heat developed by the pile which is of suitable size and length to develop the desired regulating characteristics. The tube II is received within a metal shell I2, and in order to facilitate the dissipation of the heat, the shell is preferably provided with deep fins l3 over its length, thus more readily conveying the heat away from the pile and increasing the capacity of a pile of any given dimensions.

The adjusting ferrule I5 is provided for establishing electrical contact at one end of the pile, and is adjustably threaded in the end plate It so that by the proper setting of the ferrule, the

pile may be adjusted for a given range of dis placement. Ordinarily the ferrule I5 is given an initial setting to bring the pile within the proper operating range, and in normal and ordinary use thereafter does not require further adjustment. Plate I6 is mounted upon the end flange ll of the shell I2, but is insulated therefrom by means of the insulating discs l8 and I 9, screws 20 which are thus insulated from the end plate It providing for detachably assembling the plate in position. Suitable electrical connection may be made to the end plate in any convenient manner.

The solenoid is shown at 22 as being wound upon a coil form 23, and received within a magnet case 24 of suitable magnetic material. The magnet case is formed with an outwardly extending flange 25 at one end and 26 at the other, and is likewise provided with an inwardly extendin flange 21. The metal shell [2 is detachably secured to the magnet case by means of extended studs 28 which project from the ring 29, bearin against flange l1, and extending through into the flange 25 over which it is then riveted, thus plate 39 by means of a series of Washers 34 held in place by rivets 35 which project over and engage the outer edge of the ring. A washer 36 engages the inner periphery of the ring and is secured by means of stud 3'! to the magnet core shown at 33. Thus it will be clear that in response to temperature changes, the bimetallic ring 33 will flex in one direction or the other, and since its outer periphery is held in fixed position within the recess 32, its inner periphery will move to shift the position of the magnet core as required to compensate for temperature changes.

The magnet core has clearance with respect to and extends through the end plate 38 and through the hollow coil 22, being formed at its inner end with an outwardly flaring part 49. which terminates in a face located centrally and in approximately the same plane as that of flange 21. A movable armature 42 is mounted coaxially with the core, and is of such radial extent as to overlie and extend in close juxtaposition to both the core and the inwardly extending flange of the magnet case. This provides a relatively small air gap so that the maxi mum pull of the solenoid can be utilized.

The characteristic of such a solenoid is not linear, but the pull of the solenoid increases more rapidly than in direct proportion as the armature moves closer to the core; on the other hand the inherent characteristic of a simple spring when flexed in the normal way within its elastic limit is linear, and hence such characteristics do not correspond and when opposed do not produce a resultant which is proper for producing a net force of the desired regulated value for eifecting the compression of the pile. To provide for the proper correlation of the solenoid force with the spring force, the present invention provides a spring which is so constructed and arranged that its force characteristic is non-linear, and is predetermined to be substantially comparable with that of the solenoid itself. Thus when these two non-linear and similarly varying forces are opposed, a net force is available which varies in the proper manner to serve as a resultant for application to the pile to bring about the desired compression thereof and thus establish proper regulating action over the entire range of operation of the pile.

For this purpose the armature 42 is made as part of an assembly which includes a mounting plateAE of generally triangular shape, the plate being secured to the armature by means of a series of rivets 46. The mounting plate also serves to support the electrical contact for the inner end of the pile, and for this purpose a pair of insulating discs 4? and ill are carried on mounting plate #5, receiving between them the ferrule 49. This ferrule is provided with stamped out portions which are struck upwardl. at right angles to the body of the ferrule as shown at 59, to form collectively a socket member within which there is received a contact element 52, preferably in the form of a button of carbon material. An outer washer t retains the insulating discs and the ferrule in position, and the parts are all held together by means of through rivets 56 which extend through the armature disc 32. The ferrule 48 is thus held in insulated relation with respect to the mounting plate 45 and the armature 42, and suitable electrical connection is made thereto in any convenient manher so that in this way the connection is provided for at both ends of the pile.

The spring members are also supported from the assembly above described. As shown the spring comprises a plurality of symmetrically arranged spring arms liil which have relatively broad inwardly projecting bases which mutually overlap at the corners as clearly shown in Fig. 3, and which are notched as shown at ti to be received over the outer rivets it and which are additionally notched as shown at E2 to be received over the other group of rivets 55. It will be clear that the spring elements as thus provided are assembled between the armature disc 42 and the mounting plate 5.5 before the several rivets above mentioned are inserted, and that following the application of the rivets in the manner described, the springs are securely held in position upon the assembly, with the assembly being located centrally of the springs and with the spring arms projecting radially outwardly away from the center. In the embodiment shown three such spring arms are provided, but the invention is not limited to the particular number of these arms, it being desirable however to provide such a number as to enable the spring assembly to be securely held around its periphery and with the spring forces symmetrically arranged and thus maintained in balanced relationship at all times.

Each of the spring arms 69 is formed with a progressively decreasing cross-sectional area as it extends outwardly from its base or from the axis toward its outer end. This is effected by narrowing down the width of the arm to a desired point as shown in Fig. 3, following which the outer dimensions are maintained substantially uniform, leaving the outer portions of the arms with parallel sides E53. Further progressive reduction in cross-section is eiiected of these outer portions through the provision of a series of notched out triangular shaped apertures 64. One or more of these apertures are provided,beginning at about the base of the outer or uniform width portion of the arm, and extending with increasing size toward the outer end 65 of the arm, the apertures terminating in a line 56 adjacent and parallel to the outer end portion 65 of the arm, thus afiording a substantially uniformly reducing cross section over the entire spring arm.

A cover ii"! of generally cylindrical shape is received over the flange 26 of the magnet case, and is formed with an inwardly extending end flange 68 which is provided with contoured and notched portions shown at lil for receiving the ends 55 of the spring arms thereover when the arms are sprung to their operative positions. It will be evident from Fig. 1 that the arms 60 are of greater radial extent than the diameter of the cover 6! and would normally extend outwardly beyond the periphery thereof. However in assembly the several spring arms Bil are bent or sprung into a position at substantially right angles to the central portion thereof, and to a position where the outer ends of the arms extend substantially parallel to each other and to the direction of movement of the armature. In this position the side walls 63 of the arms, and the internal apertures 64 thereof are received over the notched parts it of the cover end flange 68, when the arms are bent to the sprung position as shown in Fig. 1. The parts 10 thus act as fixed abutments securely holding the ends of the arms against longitudinal movement. In this position the arms are firmly secured and prevented from movement in the direction of the axis, while the movement of the armature and the central portion of the assembly in the direction of the axis tends to cause a straightening of the curved spring arms and results in the development of non-linear stress conditions within the curved spring. Likewise the symmetrical arrangement of the spring arms, and the lateral contact between the side edges 63 and the internal edges of the apertures 64 with the notches in the cover, provides a high degree of lateral stability for the armature assembly, thereby maintaining it in proper operative position notwithstanding even severe shocks such as might occur when the device was in use upon an aircraft, for example.

A cover plate 1'5 is received over the end of the casing 61, the cover being shaped to engage the inner surface of the projecting end 65 of the spring arms after the same are assembled in operative positon upon parts 10, thereby in eifect locking the springs in operative relation. The assembly and disassembly are readily and easily made, however, through the removal of bolts 28, and the separation of the casing l2 from the solenoid which provides access to the cover 15 so that it can be removed. Thereafter the spring arms may be manually sprung further inwardly sufliciently to release the notches 19 from the apertures 63, following which the entire casing 61 may be withdrawn and the armature assembly then removed.

The arrangement of the progressively increasing cross-sectional area of the spring arms is desirable as providing for the maximum degree of flexibility and utilization of the spring material, since the internal unit force in the spring arms when sprung into the operative position increases progressively from the outer end toward the central part thereof. changing cross-sectional areas as described, the unit force throughout the extent of the spring arms is kept substantially uniform, the material thus being worked uniformly, and thus avoiding areas in which excessive stress is imposed with resulting possibility of danger of permanent set or overstressing.

The drawings show a regulator construction somewhat larger in size than the actual unit, the physical characteristics of a unit constructed in accordance with the present invention being given by way of specific example as follows: The carbon pile was composed of 51 discs each .435 inch in diameter, the magnet winding 22 having an external diameter of approximately 2 inches and an internal diameter of approximately inch, and a rating of 0.12 ampere. The spring arms were formed of blue temper steel of .006 inch in thickness, the outer end portions E3 being 1 inch wide. A regulator of this construction was found to compensate for variations in load ranging from no load to 100% of full load, and over a temperature range of 100 C., with a maximum average variation of about 13%.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A regulator of the character described comprising a solenoid having an essentially nonlinear force characteristic, a carbon pile, means for applying pressure to compress said pile in By providing the uniformly opposition to the pull of said solenoid including a resilient member supported only at its opposite ends, means for firmly anchoring the ends of said resilient member in predetermined fixed position preventing movement in the plane thereof during the flexing of said member, said solenoid being connected to said resilient member intermediate the ends thereof for developing a pull thereon in the direction to create tension in said member upon the flexing thereof, the flexing of said member developing stresses and requiring a displacing force solely as a result of the movement of the central portion of said member relative to said fixed ends thereof which increases continuously in excess of a linear relation and substantially corresponding with the characteristics of said solenoid.

2. A regulator of the character described comprising a solenoid having an essentially non-linear force characteristic, a carbon pile, means for applying pressure to compress said pile in opposition to the pull of said solenoid including a substantially flat spring assembly, means for receiving and retaining the outer ends of said spring assembly in fixed position extending in a direction substantially at right angles with respect to the central part of said assembly, and means for applying the force of said solenoid in a direction substantially normal to said central part and parallel with said outer ends.

3. A regulator of the character described comprising a solenoid having an essentially non-lincar force characteristic, a carbon pile, means for applying pressure to compress said pile in opposition to the pull of said solenoid including a substantially fiat spring assembly, said spring assembly having outer ends extending outwardly from the central portion the cross-section of which decreases outwardly from said central portion, supporting means for receiving and retaining the outer ends of said spring assembly in fixed position extending in a direction substantially at right angles with respect to the central portion of said assembly, and means for applying the force of said solenoid in a direction substantially normal to said central portion and parallel with said outer ends.

4. A regulator of the character described comprising a solenoid having an essentially non-linear force characteristic, a carbon pile, means for applying pressure to compress said pile in opposition to the pull of said solenoid including a substantially flat spring assembly, said spring assembly having arms extending outwardly from a central portion, the cross-section of said arms decreasing outwardly from said central portion in a regular manner to develop a substantially uniform internal force throughout the extent thereof, supporting means for receiving and retaining said arms in fixed position extending in a direction substantially at right angles with respect to said central portion of said assembly, and means for applying the force of said solenoid in a direction substantially normal to said central portion and in direct alignment with said outer ends.

5. A carbon pile regulator comprising a carbon pile, a solenoid having an essentially non-linear force characteristic, an armature assembly, re-

silient means supporting said armature assembly angles to said central portion, and means for receiving and firmly anchoring said outwardly extending portions of said spring against longitudinal movement under the action of said solenoid' to develop a non-linear force characteristic in said spring comparable with that of said solenoid.

6. A carbon pile regulator comprising a carbon pile, a solenoid having an essentially non-linear force characteristic, an armature assembly, resilient means supporting said armature assembly and opposing the pull of said solenoid including a fiat spring member having a central portion secured to said armature assembly, said spring member having symmetrically arranged portions extending outwardly from said armature assembly and curved at substantially right angles with respect thereto, and means for firmly anchoring the outer ends of said portions against longitudinal movement under the action of said solenoid to develop a non-linear force characteristic in said spring comparable with that of said solenoid.

7. A carbon. pile regulator comprising a carbon pile, a solenoid having an essentially non-linear force characteristic, an armature assembly, resilient means supporting said armature assembly and opposing the pull of said solenoid including a flat spring member having a central portion secured to said armature assembly, said spring member having symmetrically arranged portions extending outwardly from said armature assembly and curved at substantially right angles with respect thereto, said outwardly extending portions being of decreasing cross-section outwardly toward the ends thereof to maintain substantially uniform internal force distribution thereover, and means for firmly anchoring the outer ends of said portions against longitudinal movement under the action of said solenoid to develop a non-linear force characteristic in said spring comparable with that of said solenoid.

8. A carbon pile regulator comprising a carbon pile, a solenoid having an essentially non-linear force characteristic, armature assembly, resilient means supporting said armature assembly and opposing the pull of said solenoid including a fiat spring secured to said armature assembly, said spring having a plurality of symmetrically arranged arms extending outwardly thereof, said arms being yieldable and adapted to be sprung into position where the outer ends thereof are substantially parallel to each other and with the direction of movement of said armature assembly, and fixed abutment means firml anchoring the ends of said arms against movement in the direction of the movement of said armature assembly to provide for developing a non-linear force characteristic in said spring comparable with that of said solenoid.

9. A carbon pile regulator comprising a carbon pile, a solenoid having an essentially non-linear force characteristic, an armature assembly, resilient means supporting said armature assembly and o posing the pull of said solenoid including a flat spting secured to said armature assembly, said spring having a plurality of symmetrically arranged arms extending outwardly of said assembly, said arms being of progressivel and reg ularl decreasing cross-section outwardly toward the outer ends thereof, said arms being yieldable and adapted to be sprung into positions with the outer ends thereof substantially parallel to each other and to the axis of said solenoid, and fixed abutment means firmly anchoring the ends of said arms against longitudinal movement to provide for developing a non-linear force characteristic in said spring comparable with that of said solenoid.

10.. A carbon pile regulator comprising a carbon pile, a solenoid having an essentially nonlinear force characteristic, an armature assembly, resilient means supporting said armature assembly and opposing the pull of said solenoid including a flat spring secured to said armature assembly, said spring having a pluralit of symmetrically arranged arms extending outwardl of said assembly, said arms having notched out apertures in the outer parts thereof and being capable of being sprun to positions substantially parallel with the direction of movement of said armature, a cover for receiving and enclosing said spring members, and means on said cover for detachably receiving the apertures of said arms when Sprung into assembled position thereon to firmly secure said arms in fixed position preventing any movement longitudinally thereof.

11. A carbon pile regulator comprising a carbon pile, a solenoid having an essentially nonlinear force characteristic, an armature assembly,

- resilient means supporting said armature assembly and opposing the pull of said solenoid including a fiat spring secured to said armature assembly, said spring having a plurality of symmetrically arranged arms extending outwardly of said assembly, said arms having notched out apertures in the outer parts thereof and being capable of being sprung to positions substantially parallel with the direction of movement of said armature, a cover for receiving and enclosing said spring members, means on said cover for detachably receiving the apertures of said arms when sprung into assembled position thereon to firmly secure said arms in fixed position preventing any movement longitudinally thereof, and means for engaging the sides of said arms in the assembled position thereof providing lateral stabilit for said assembly.

12. A carbon pile regulator comprising a can bon pile, a solenoid having an essentiall nonlinear force characteristic, an armature assembly, resilient means supporting said armature assembly and opposing the pull of said solenoid including a fiat spring secured to said armature assembly, said spring having a plurality of symmetrically arranged arms extending outwardl of said assembly, said arms having notched out apertures in the outer parts thereof and being capable of being sprung to positions substantiall parallel with the direction or movement of said armature, a cover for receiving and enclosing said sprin members, means on said cover fordetachably receiving the apertures of said arms when sprung into assembled position thereon to firml secure said arms in fixed position preventing any movement longitudinally thereof, and removable means for locking said arms in said assembled position upon said cover.

13. A carbon pile regulator comprising a carbon pile, a solenoid having an essentially nonlinear force characteristic, an armature assembly, resilient means suporting said armature assembly and opposing the pull of said solenoid including a flat spring secured to said armature assembly, said spring having a plurality of symmetrically aranged arms extending outwardly thereof, the inner portions of said arms being of decreasing width outwardly thereof and the outer portions thereof being of substantially uniform width and having notched out apertures providing a decreasing cross-sectional area thereof, said arms being capable of being sprung to positions substantially parallel with the direction of movement of said armature, means for receiving and enclosing said spring members, and means on said enclosing means for detachably receiving the apertures of said arms when sprung into assembled position thereon to firmly secure said arms in fixed position preventing longitudinal movement thereof.

14. A carbon pile regulator comprising a carbon pile, a solenoid having an essentially nonlinear force characteristic, an armature assembly, resilient means supporting said armature assembly and opposing the pull of said solenoid including a fiat spring secured to said armature assembly, said spring having a plurality of symmetrically arranged arms extending outwardly thereof, the inner portions of said arms being of decreasing width outwardly thereof and the outer portions thereof being of substantially uniform width and having notched out apertures providing a decreasing cross-sectional area thereof, said arms being capable of being sprung to positions substantially parallel with the direction of movement of said armature, means for receiving and enclosing said spring members, means on said enclosing means for detachably receiving the apertures of said arms when sprung into assembled position thereon to firmly secure said arms in fixed position preventing longitudinal movement thereof, and means on said enclosing means engaging the outer portions of said arms for developing lateral stability of said arms to maintain the spring and armature assembly in proper operative position.

15. A regulator of the character described comprising a solenoid having an essentially non linear force characteristic and including a magnetic frame and a core movable relative thereto, a bimetallic element for supporting said core from said frame in predetermined relation in accordance with the temperature, an armature at the opposite side of said core, a carbon pile, and spring means located between said solenoid and said pile for applying pressure to compress said pile in opposition to the pull of said solenoid.

16. A regulator of the character described comprising a solenoid having an essentially nonlinear force characteristic and including a magnetic frame and a core movable relative thereto, a bimetallic element for supporting said core from said frame in predetermined relation in accordance with the temperature, an armature at the opposite side of said core, a carbon pile, spring means located between said solenoid and said pile for applying pressure to compress said pile in opposition to the pull of said solenoid, and means at the remote end of said pile for adjusting the range of operation thereof.

1'7. A regulator of the character described which comprises a solenoid having an essentially non-linear force characteristic, a carbon pile, means for applying pressure to compress said pile in opposition to the pull of said solenoid including a resilient member, a pole piece, an armature, means for securing one end of said resilient member to said armature for movement therewith, said resilient member having a curved portion intermediate its ends adapted to be stressed under tension in a non-linearly increasing manner as said armature moves under the action of said solenoid closer to said pole piece, and means for securing the other end of said resilient means in fixed position preventing movement thereof during the flexing of said resilient member.

18. A carbon pile regulator comprising a carbon pile, a solenoid having an essentially nonlinear force characteristic, a pole piece, an armature assembly, resilient means supporting said.

armature assembly and opposing the pull of said solenoid including a spring member having one portion secured to said armature assembly, means for firmly anchoring the outer portion of said spring member, said spring member also having an intermediate curved portion movable with said armature assembly under the action of said solenoid and in a direction tending to straighten said curved portion and developing a tension force continuously increasing in excess of a linear relation as said armature approaches said pole piece.

THOMAS W. MOORE. 

